Did Colorado’s Governor Insult Andrew Cuomo?

Earlier today, National Rifle Association President David Keene went on Fred Dicker’s radio show to tout yesterday’s pro-gun rally in Albany. As they are both wont to do, Mr. Dicker and Mr. Keene took a number of shots at Governor Andrew Cuomo and the gun control legislation he passed earlier this year. At one interesting moment in the conversation, however, Mr. Keene went further by saying another unnamed Democratic governor shared some of their anti-Cuomo views.

“You know Fred, I was out in the West recently and had to meet with a Democratic governor because a lot of the state legislatures are considering all kinds of different laws and legislation on firearms,” Mr. Keene said. “As I went into his office, I said, ‘Governor, before we get started, I have to tell you that the press has been asking me why I’m meeting with you.’ He said, ‘What did you tell them?’ I said, ‘I’m meeting with you because you’re not Andrew Cuomo. And you should take that as a compliment.’ He looked at me and he said, ‘Believe me, I do.'”

When pressed, Mr. Keene declined to reveal the governor’s identity. However, given all of the details already provided–a Western Democratic governor considering new gun policies whose recent meeting with Mr. Keene was covered in the press–it seems the executive in question very well could be Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper, who met with Mr. Keene last month. Google News searches of Mr. Keene’s name and the four other Democratic governors west of the Mississippi River returned zero results.

Politicker provided Mr. Hickenlooper’s office with a transcript of the comments and asked whether the N.R.A. leader’s description was accurate. Megan Castle, Mr. Hickenlooper’s deputy director of communications, replied succinctly without confirming or denying the alleged slight against Governor Cuomo.

“The governor did meet with David Keene,” she said. “They had a good conversation.”